Joanne Ruth Smith's Obituary
Joanne Ruth (Erickson) Smith, age 94, of Lakeland, Florida, entered the presence of her Lord on November 18, 2025. She was born on November 24, 1930, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Gust Karl Erickson and Ida Grace (Glasgow) Sleat.
Joanne graduated from Frankford High School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She continued her education over the years by taking college classes at Philadelphia College of the Bible, South Florida Community College, and Landmark Baptist College. She was truly a lifelong learner who never lost her love for study and growth.
She was preceded in death by her husband, James Dexter Smith; her parents, Gust Karl Erickson and Ida Grace (Glasgow) Sleat; her brother, Carl Ivar Erickson; her daughter, Patricia Regina (Robideau) Gifford; her son, Michael Francis Robideau; her granddaughter, Charlotte Danielle Godin; and her great-granddaughter, Alexandra Skye Fisher.
She is survived by her children, Paul T. Robideau of Miami, Florida; Karen Grace (Dan) Godin of Phenix City, Alabama; James A. (Robin) Robideau of North Port, Florida; and Ruth Joan Robideau of Lakeland, Florida; as well as 23 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren, all of whom she loved dearly and remembered often in prayer.
Joanne loved music and expressed that love through singing and by playing the accordion, piano, and harp. She instilled a deep love of music in her children, leaving them with many precious memories of songs and hymns shared together.
Above all, Joanne was a devoted Christian lady who was unashamed of her faith. She lovingly and faithfully introduced many to her Saviour and sought to live in a way that honored Him. Her testimony, her music, and her steadfast faith will be remembered with gratitude by all who knew and loved her.
A memorial service will be held at Victory Church, 1401 Griffin Road, Lakeland, Florida, on Thursday, December 4, 2025, at 11:00 a.m.
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